Drug Testing and Issues of Privacy at the Workplace

Drug Testing Issues of Privacy Drug Testing Issues of Privacy Drug testing in the workplace is a touchy issue for both employers and employees. Employers who drug test current and potential employees do so for several reasons. There are some industries and tasks which are very sensitive because of the material used, or the processes involved in the work, or because the work concerns matters of national security. There are numerous practical reasons for employers to test employees for illegal or illicit substances as well as legal substances that in excess cause harm to the person taking them and/or those around the person taking drugs. There exists a boundary between drug testing for safety and drug testing as a way to invade the privacy of employees for a number of reasons including excessive control, blackmail, or other forms of manipulation. The use of drug testing depends on the work that needs to be done. The use of drug testing also depends on the employees. If the behavior of the employees warrants drug te sting, then it should be done. If the work of the employees involves working with other people in need of substance rehabilitation or other forms of rehabilitation, then it would be logical for the management of such facilities to be concerned with substance abuse and other addictive behaviors among the employees and/or staff. Again, there is a logic behind the reasoning for drug testing employees in the workplace. There is additionally potential for abuseShow MoreRelatedDrug Testing in the Workplace1739 Words   |  7 PagesDrug Testing in the Workplace: A Costly Mistake Abstract The issue of drug testing in the workplace has sparked an ongoing debate among management. There are many who feel that it is essential to prevent risks to the greater public caused by substance abuse while on the job. However, others believe that the costs far outweigh the benefits and that it is an invasion of privacy. Putting all ethical issues aside, evidence presented in this paper supports the latter. The costs of drug testing areRead MoreDrug And Alcohol Testing On The Workplace1663 Words   |  7 PagesDrug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Due: Monday Dec 1, 2014 COMM-220-F Rebecca Walsh By Brett Tate and Brandon Bracko November 17, 14 Introduction People often question drug and alcohol testing in the work place. It is a controversial subject that has a range of mixed emotions. But where do you draw the line when it comes to crossing the boundaries of prying into one’s personal life? This report will explain the legal, and ethical issues surrounding the topic of drug and alcohol testing inRead MoreDrug Testing For Current And Prospective Employees Essay1649 Words   |  7 Pagesthe topic on the very controversial issue of drug testing for current and prospective employees in the workplace. In the textbook we reviewed the opposing opinions of authors Joseph Desjardins and his co-author Ronald Duska and Michael Cranford. The main issue between these writers is whether drug testing invades an individual’s privacy and in what circumstances should drug testing be permissible. I will first review both Desjardins and Cranford’s views on the issue then offer my evaluation. BothRead MoreEmployee Drug Testing: Fair and Effective Essay1648 Words   |  7 Pagesdollars are spent to pay for the unnecessary expenses caused by drug-impaired employees. Workers whose performances are negatively altered by drug use contribute to losses in business productivity and assist in lowering workplace safety. On average, according to the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), $100 billion is lost per year due to accidents, decreases in productivity, and other related expenses caused by incompetent, drug abusing employees (â€Å"Coalitions†). However, through a thoughtfulRead MoreDrug Free is the Way to Be1053 Words   |  4 Pagesor abuse drugs, legal or not, that cause interference within the workplace. According to the Human Resource Manager Eileen Esquer, from Isagenix International, when the use of drugs start to disrupt an employee’s job, they generate expensive health costs and loss of productivity for businesses. A controversial issue in the business industry is with employment drug testing. Companies that organize drug testing will provide safe working conditions. Although, employers who do not conduct drug tests, willRead MoreAn Employee’S Right To Privacy In The Workplace Is An Increasingly1349 Words   |  6 Pagesright to privacy in the workplace is an increasingly controversial legal topic, especially in an age of increased technology. These days, employers can virtually monitor all workplace communications made by employees using computers such as the Internet and company email. While the law generally allows this monitoring, some employee’s view it is a violation of their privacy. Other bothersome topics on an employee’s right to privacy in the workplace is employee drug or honesty testing, and whetherRead MoreRandom Drug Testing vs Employees Privacy Rights Essay1478 Words   |  6 PagesA. Court Cases Affecting Privacy of Employees and Drug Testing in the Workplace 1. Supreme Court cases affirming drug testing a. Skinner v. Railway Labor Executives Association 109 S.Ct 1402(1989) b. National Treasury Employees Union v. Von Raab, 109 S.Ct. 1384 (1989) 2. Other lower court and State court rulings a. Kraslawsky v. Upper Deck 56 Cal.App.4th 179, 66 Cal Rptr.2d.297(CA 4, 1997) b. Pettus v. DuPont, 49 Cal.App.4th402, 57 Cal.Rptr.2d 46 (1997) 3. Supreme Court casesRead MoreConstitutional Rights1444 Words   |  6 Pagesif an employer can crush those rights by using lie detector tests, monitor employee phone calls and emails; use surveillance cameras, and issue random drug-testing. Drug-Testing The American Civil Liberties Union states, drug testing of individuals without cause is ineffective, expensive and, often times, illegal (para. 1) as well as, drug testing of individuals without cause is an affront to the Fourth Amendment (para. 2). While the fourth amendment does state, the right of the peopleRead MoreDo Drug Tests Violate Employees’ Rights to Privacy?1654 Words   |  7 Pagesthis question Do drugs tests violate employees’ right to privacy?’ The answers are given by the presentation and the analyzing different views evident in literature so as to build an argumentative case against or in support of, lastly drawing the conclusions set. This is made possible concentrating on a scope which considers the ethics existent in normative theories. It means that theories of a higher philosophical calling considering whether the employees violate the right of privacy of their employeesRead MoreWritten Analysis : Law And Ethics1659 Words   |  7 Pagesobtained a license from the State of Colorado for the use of medical marijuana. The Plaintiff alleged he used the marijuana within the limits of the license under the state constitutional and statutory provisions and never sued it on company property. Testing positive for marijuana is a violation of the defendant antidrug policy. When the Plaintiff tested positive for marijuana, the Defendant fired the Plaintiff. Use of Medical Marijuana The Plaintiff sued the Defendant and asserted four claims. First